2026 Period 7 - EN
- T&T Newsletter
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Hello, San Jose!
Dear T&T family,
What an exciting time it is for T&T! It’s been four weeks since we opened in San Jose. I remember feeling nervous leading up to the big day; at the store huddle before the opening, only 10% of people raised their hands when asked if they heard about T&T before applying for the job.
Thankfully, we didn’t need to fear. The San Jose store has exceeded all expectations, not only in sales, but also in the warmth, enthusiasm, and sheer numbers of customers we’ve seen from the community. The San Jose store is an important milestone in T&T’s journey: we have unlocked California.
To celebrate this achievement, I wanted to share some highlights of our store opening.
Santana Row Pop-Up
Before we even opened our store, our teams were at Santana Row, San Jose’s premier shopping district, meeting the community and introducing T&T’s unique products. Take a look at the beautiful display we had for 2 weeks:
Even surrounded by the upscale retail and dining offerings at Santana Row, T&T’s pop-up was the photo spot: people lined up for over 1 hour to snap photos with us, win exciting prizes and receive their first ever T&T merch! Some people even went home and returned with their families to join in on the fun. A big thank you to our marketing team for planning this pop-up, many of whom travelled to California to help bring it to life!
4-day Opening Celebration
For the first time, we hosted a 4-day long opening weekend celebration. We had lion dancers, live bands, customer karaoke, and even robot dances to name some. Even though customers waited in line for hours, it felt like a party. Many even described T&T as an “adult Disneyland” thanks to the energy, excitement, and nonstop liveliness! This would not have been possible without the leadership and creativity of Ada and our marketing team.
Fun Facts about San Jose Grand Opening:
· People started lining up at 4:30 am on opening day. Even at 10:00pm, the lines were still very long.
· Customers LOVE T&T made-to-order Chinese Crepe! We sold almost 700 in the first day and the stand was so popular that we had to close it early to control the crowds.
· People drove all the way from San Francisco (over 1 hour away) just to visit us during our opening weekend.
This opening was so special. It made me think about how far T&T has come, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our T&T family, many of whom have been with us since the beginning of our journey into the U.S. So many of you put in countless hours to bring this store to life, making sure that T&T debuts in California with a bang!
I hope everyone can feel proud of what we’ve achieved together in California—you’re on the right team, at the right time, and this is our moment. San Jose has set the tone for what’s ahead, and I am excited to carry this momentum to our next store openings.
To our San Jose team: A very warm welcome to you. Remember, this success is only the beginning. We still have so much to learn, so much to grow and so much to achieve together. We’re so excited to have you on board.
Tina Lee
CEO
Ready to step up, ready to help
Maybe Lau - (Central City) Store Administrative Department
Sany Ma joined the company last year and is currently Supervisor of the Kitchen Department. It hasn't been long since she joined the team, but her proactive approach, strong sense of responsibility and dedicated work ethic have allowed her to quickly integrate into the team and earn a reputation as a reliable and trusted colleague.
"Wherever help is needed is where you'll find me." These words perfectly reflect Sany's dedication and strong work ethic.
On one particularly busy occasion, the stir-fry section was short-staffed, and the hot foods section urgently needed replenishment. While the team was worried about whether they could meet the next production round on time, Sany stepped up, saying, "I can learn as I go." Though unfamiliar with the role, she took on the challenge, learned quickly on the job, and helped the team successfully complete the preparation cycle, keeping operations running smoothly.
Another time, when a colleague at the BBQ stall had to take unexpected sick leave, leaving the team short-staffed, Sany quickly stepped in to help with food preparation. With her cheerful personality, she warmly greeted every single customer and boosted team morale with her positive attitude, bringing energy and joy to an otherwise busy and high-pressure work environment.
Sany consistently brings the company's "Be the Best We Can Be” and winning culture to life through her actions.
The hands behind efficient receiving operations
Leo Kao - (Bellevue store) Store Administrative Department
At Bellevue store's Receiving Department, Yong can be seen working with calm efficiency every morning. With his strong driving skills and excellent coordination, he manages logistics scheduling to ensure a smooth and efficient flow of goods throughout the store. In a fast-paced environment, he follows the principle that "simple coordination enhances efficiency,” prioritizing frozen goods and live seafood to ensure critical items are delivered on time. He also proactively set up a WeChat group with the ICE team to strengthen real-time communication and reduce delays.
When it comes to cross-departmental collaboration, Yong proactively coordinates receiving progress to ensure seamless handovers at every stage. When delays occur, he follows up promptly until issues are resolved, helping maintain stable operations. In daily operations, he carefully schedules vehicle arrivals and departures to enable a "pick up immediately upon arrival" workflow and smooth handovers, significantly improving on-site efficiency. At the same time, he also makes sure he leads by example, always proactively taking on more demanding tasks and prioritizing resources for his colleagues, further boosting overall team efficiency.
Yong brings our values of "Be the Best We Can Be" and "Do More with Less" to life through his daily actions. With strong ownership and commitment, he has helped build a well-organized, highly efficient receiving operation at Bellevue, making him a role model worthy of recognition.
An Invisible Uniform, A Visible Standard of Professionalism
Human Resources Department
Imagine a customer excitedly entering a busy store seeking assistance, only to be ignored, shouted at, and even given the middle finger by an employee in a bad mood. The merely few seconds of impulsive behaviour left the customer disappointed, shocked, and angry, and the company's hard-earned reputation built over the years may be damaged just like that.
The very core of the service industry is service itself, and customers are the foundation of the company's continued growth. "Customers First" is one of our winning values and must be reflected in each of our actions. No matter the situation, we should remain calm and professional at all times, communicate appropriately, and seek support from a supervisor when needed to resolve issues effectively.
Once we step into our roles, a professional service attitude becomes an invisible uniform. Customers may not remember our names, but will remember how they were treated. Aside from the products, customers also leave with the memory of our interactions. Every greeting, response, and act of service reflects both the company's image and our professionalism.
True professionalism isn't about maintaining a smile when things are running smoothly, it's about staying respectful and composed while under pressure, through misunderstandings or even in unfair situations. The ability to manage emotions, properly handle conflicts, and treat each and every customer with sincerity is both a skill and professional attitude to be proud of. By choosing professionalism and respect in every interaction, we not only protect the company's reputation, but also shape our own value and future.
Tell me, is that not important?
Summer's Journey of Growth: From Cabin Crew to SUPT
Summer worked for Shenzhen Airlines for 15 years before joining T&T's Bakery Department at Coquitlam Centre in an entry-level role. Her proactive attitude and willingness to support the team earned her a recommendation for the Supervisor Trainee Program, where she has grown into a SUPT capable of assisting with managing the department.
To our colleagues who are considering career growth, she would like to share this message: "At T&T, everyone has an opportunity. If you're willing to learn more, do more, opportunities will soon come your way."
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